This month around 55 pupil chaplains from 6 schools gathered at Taunton Minster. The day was an opportunity for pupil chaplains to connect with others from different contexts, learn more about their roles and to celebrate what they are doing together. Some of the pupil chaplain teams made their way to Taunton via train, some via cars and some walked!
The pupil chaplains from Backwell Junior School led the opening worship, before the children took part in various activities. The children had a tour of Taunton Minster, being challenged to find about the building and many enjoyed trying to count the numerous angels in the church. They also thought about the joys and challenges of their roles before writing a prayer together for their pupil chaplaincy team.
The afternoon worship was led by Lou Jarmain who leads the pupil chaplaincy team at St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School in Taunton. The children had an opportunity to may a prayer heart and then led us in prayer using their newly written pupil chaplaincy prayers.
Pupil chaplains seek to:
- Actively live out the school values.
- Be good listeners, to support fellow pupils who ask for help, and to encourage them to speak to an adult who can more fully support their emotional and spiritual health and well-being.
- Help to plan and lead collective worship and festival services in church.
- Co-ordinate and organise charity fundraising events.
- Represent the school and offer practical support for school and community projects involving elderly people and those in need.
If you are interested in finding out more about pupil chaplaincy, email Cheryl.Govier@bathwells.anglican.og